Obama Seeks to Mend Ties With Turkey’s President in Phone Talks

US President Barack Obama has discussed increased cooperation to fight the Islamic State in a phone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the State Department announced in a readout.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — The two leaders also agreed on the urgent need for an end to Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK) attacks in Turkey, the readout added.

"The two leaders re-affirmed their shared goal of stepping up military pressure on [the Islamic State] and strengthening moderate opposition elements in Syria to create conditions for a negotiated solution to the conflict, including a political transition," the readout, released on Thursday night, said.

On Wednesday, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said that Ankara had warned Moscow and Washington of the inadmissibility of providing military aid to Syrian Kurds.

Obama reiterated his condemnation of the October 10 terrorist attack in Ankara that killed 106 people and wounded hundreds more, and pledged US solidarity in the face of the security threats Turkey faces, the readout noted.

The two leaders also agreed on the positive momentum toward a negotiated settlement in Cyprus and pledged their support to settle the conflict. They also discussed the agenda for the upcoming G-20 Summit in Antalya, Turkey, the readout said.